The Eagles Score Big WIN Over Johnson Royals 72-57

The Eagles Score Big WIN Over Johnson Royals 72-57
Video Box Score
January 29, 2026
Waleska, GA - The Eagles used a fast start and a dominant fourth quarter to close out a 72-57 win over Johnson, behind a combined 38 points from guards I'ziah McCutchins and Emariah Grant. The Eagles put the game out of reach with a 23-point final quarter, pushing the lead to as many as 17 as they controlled the boards and took care of the ball.
 
Reinhardt built its cushion early, outscoring Johnson 17-9 in the first quarter and never trailing after the opening minutes. A late layup by Mackenzie Franklin helped the Eagles close the first quarter with an eight-point advantage, and they kept the pressure on in the second. McCutchins and Grant combined to stretch the margin before halftime, capped by Grant's 3-pointer in the final minute of the second quarter to send Reinhardt into the break ahead 32-21.
 
McCutchins finished with a game-high 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc, and added four assists and three steals. Grant supplied 17 points, going 5-of-15 from the field and 4-of-9 from 3-point range, while also handing out four assists. Their perimeter scoring helped offset a modest overall shooting night for the Eagles, who went 23-of-61 (37.7%) from the floor but converted 7-of-19 (36.8%) from deep and 19-of-29 at the free-throw line.
 
Johnson made several pushes to get back into the game. Early in the second quarter, Emery Tollett scored inside to trim the deficit to 17-11, and after halftime Hailey Brooks drilled a 3-pointer to pull Johnson within 35-26. Later in the third, Olivia Bolduc connected from long range to cut Reinhardt's lead to 46-40, giving Johnson its closest margin since the opening quarter. But each time the visitors threatened, Reinhardt answered with timely offense and defensive pressure.
 
McCutchins delivered one of the game's pivotal responses late in the third quarter with a 3-pointer that pushed the margin to 43-29, steadying the Eagles after a brief Johnson run. In the fourth quarter, Grant opened the frame with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 52-42, and Reinhardt seized full control. McCutchins turned a steal into a layup with 7:27 remaining to make it 59-42, marking the Eagles' largest lead at 17 points. From there, Reinhardt managed the clock and the glass, with Audrey Ekoue-Bla knocking down two free throws in the final seconds to cap the 72-57 result.
 
Reinhardt's advantage on the boards and in ball security proved decisive. The Eagles outrebounded Johnson 49-38, generating 10 second-chance points and 28 points in the paint. Lana VanDyke anchored the interior with 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting and a game-high 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards in 18 minutes. Reinhardt also committed just five turnovers while forcing 16, turning those Johnson miscues into 13 points.
 
Bolduc led Johnson with 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting, adding six rebounds and four assists in 37 minutes. Shamiya Francis provided an efficient boost inside with 8 points on 4-of-4 shooting and nine rebounds, and Tollett chipped in 7 points and six boards. Johnson shot 39.6% from the field (21-of-53) and 30.8% from 3-point range (4-of-13), staying within reach through stretches but unable to overcome Reinhardt's rebounding edge and fourth-quarter surge.
 
McCutchins was the leading scorer with 21 points, and Grant contributed with 17. Chloe and Lana VanDyke controlled the glass with 12 and 10 rebounds. Londaisha Smith was a force on the defensive side with 6 steals.  This win moved the Eagles to 15-5 overall and 12-1 in the conference. The Eagles will  be on the road to Columbia International on February 2nd.